US State Department Issues Section 515.582 List Regarding Authorization of Imports of Certain Goods and Services Produced by Independent Cuban Entrepreneurs

On February 13, 2015, the US Department of State published its "Section 515.582 List" and related guidance regarding the goods and services produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs which have been authorized for immediate importation from Cuba by persons subject to US jurisdiction, as authorized by the amended Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR). The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Section 515.582 to the CACR on January 16, 2015, in accordance with the policy changes announced by President Obama on December 17, 2014, to liberalize US sanctions and export controls targeting Cuba. The new Section 515.582 List is in effect a negative list. Items on it may not be imported. Goods and services not on the list are authorized for import from independent Cuban entrepreneurs, provided all other conditions are satisfied.